Automatic baking machine



S. E. WINDER AUTOMATIC BAKING MACHINE March 2 1926.

Fil y 7. 1920 4 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR wow,

, ATTORNEYd March 2 1926.

S. E. WINDER AUTOMATIC BAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1920 INVENTOR March 2 1926.

S. E. 'WINDER AUTOMATIC BAKING MACHINE Filed July 17, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 2 1926.

s. .E. WINDER AUTOMATIC BAKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 1'7, 1920 Inventor Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

UNITE 1,575,302 PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL E. WINDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO M NOVELTY PRODUCTS, INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION.

AUTOMATIC BAKING ILVIAOI-IINE.

Application filed July 17, 1920. Serial No. 397,066.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, {dampen l UNDER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of? Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new Improvements in Automatic Baking Macl'iines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to machines tor molding and baking pastry cups or cones and seeks to provide a simple and eliective u'iachine, and, more particularly; one that is designed for molding and baking pastry cups which are ornan'iented or fluted. lhe

invention consists in 'teatures of improvcment and arrangemcnt of parts hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the pre'lt'erred form in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims,

in the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the innproved machine;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section with some of the molding units of the machine omitted; v I

Figures 3 and 4 are plan and sectional views of the device for charging the molds with batter;

Figure 5 is a partial view in elevation of the machine with parts broken away and illustrating the mechanism for discharging the finished cups from the molds;

Figure (3 is an enlarged detailed section of one of the molding units;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 77 of Figure 6.

The machine frame comprises a bed plate 10 mounted on uprights 11 that are con nccted at their lower ends by stay rods 12. A1 vertical hollow post 13 on the bed plate forms the bearing for a rotatable, horizontal carrier or turn-table, which preterably comprises a hubv 14L, radial arms 15, having upturned ends and a flat, horizontal rim or ring 16. An annular gear 17 fixed to the outer periphery of the ring 16 meshes with a pinion 18 on the upper end of a short vertical shaft 19. The latter is journaled in a bearing bracket 20 on the turn-table and is provided at its lower end with a worm wheel 21. that is engaged by a worm 22 on the end of a horizontal shaft 23. Shaft is journaled in suitable bearings in the upper portions of the uprights 11, and at its opposite end carries a pulley 24 by which it can be connected to a motor or other suitable source of power to continuously rotate the carr er wheel or turn-table when the machine 1s 1n operation. Preferably,

the pulley 24 is stepped so that the turnupon a series of Z-shaped brackets 25 which are mounted in radial position upon the upper face of the rim 16 of the carrier Wheel and project upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The outer portion of each bracket is provided with a circularopening having an inwardly projecting flange 26 (see Fig. 6) at its lower portion and adapted to receive the flange 27 at the upper portion oi. the cup section or body 28 of the mold. The flange 27 of the cup section of the mold has a driving lit in the opening at theoutcr end of the bracket 25.

The core section 29 of each mold is car- 'ried upon the outer end of a radially disposed lifter arm 30 that is pivoted to a forked lug 31 on the inner end of the com pani'on bracket 25. mold 29 is preferably hollow and open at its upper end. It comprises an upper cylindrical portion which extends through an opening in the outer end of its lifter arm '30 and a lower portion in the form of a truncated cone which 1s adapted to extend within the corresponding shaped cavity of the cup section of the mold. The core section has an outwardly projecting flange 32 at its upper end which engages the upper face of the lifter arm, and a ring flange or collar 33 fits snugly aboutthe cylindrical section of the core and engages the lower face of the lifter arm. Screw bolts 34 ex- .tend through the flanges 32 and 33 and through the lifter arm 30 and secure the core section and the ringfiange 33 in position on the lifter.

The ring flange 33 is arranged to engage the upper end of the'cup section 28 and close the mold cavity. To properly center the core section. within the mold cavity so that the baked cups shall'have walls of uniform thickness, one of the abutting parts-in the form shown in the cup sectionhas a projecting annular shoulder which within a correspondingly shaped recess in the ring or flange 33, and the edges of the shoulder and the recess are beveled in order to prop- The core section of each erly center the coreand cup sections of the mold when the latter is closed.

Preferably, the portion of the core 29 within the mold cavity is provided with a flat lower end and a smooth "conical periphery, while the side walls of the cavity in the cup section are provided with ribs 28 arranged to form a series of longitudinal. flutes 011 the outer surface of the baked cup. Preferably, the cup section and the ring flange 33 are recessed at the upper edge of the mold cavity to form a rim or bead having rounded surfaces at the upper edge of the finished cup.

, Vfhil'e the cavity in the cup section 28 is of general conical outline, its lower portion is cylindrical, and the circular head. 36 of an ejecting plunger 37 fits within this cylindrical portion and forms the bottom of the mold cavity. Preferably, as shown, the central portion of the upper face oft-he head v86 is raised slightly above'its outer edge portion so that the bottom of the finished cup has a.v relatively thick edge. The ejecting plunger 37 extends downwardly through a sleeve-like extension. 38 on the lower por tion of the cup section 28 of the mold and is adapted'to be shifted to eject the finished cup from the mold. To permit proper seating of the head of the ejecting plunger in Y the bottom of the mold cavity, the underside of the head 36 iscut away adjacent its edges to form a space 39 for the accumulation of particles of pastry; or the like which may remain in the molds during the operation of the machine. I

To hold the sections of each mold in a closed position the outer ends of each lifter arm and bracket are provided with projecting lugs 40 and 41, and a latch 42, pivoted between its ends on the lug 40, has a lower hook end 433 that is arranged to engage the lug 41. The working face of the latch hooks is concentric with the pivot of the latch, and the end of the lug 41 is slightly rounded so that the engagement of the latch with the lug tends to draw the parts of the mold together and co-operates with the beveled shoulder 35 to properly'center the cup and cone sections of the mold.

Each latch is operated by a trip arm 44, the lower forked end of which is connected to the lug '31 by the same pivot pin which connects the corresponding lifter arm to the lug. A. link connects the upper end of each .trip arm .44 to' the corresponding latch 42, and this link is preferably formed of sections 45 and 46 which are threaded together so that the position of the latch 42, relative to the trip arm, can be adjusted.

The upper end of each trip arm 44 is provided with a roller 47 and each lifter arm30 is provided with aninwardly projecting extension 48 having a roller 49 thereon. Stationary cams fixed to the up per end of the post 18 are arranged to en gage the rollers 47 and 49 as the carrier portion 53, and downwardly and upwardly inclined portions 54 and 55. Two cams 56 (and 57, secured to the portions 51 and 52 of the lifter cam, project upwardly and outwardly therefrom, and are provided with downwardly projecting flanges for actuating the trip arms, the cam 56 being provided with a downwardly pro ecting flange 58' at its outer edge, and the cam 57 being provided ;with two parallel downwardly projecting flanges 59.

As the roller 49 on the inner end of the lifter arm of one of the mold units passes beneath the horizontal portion 51 of the lifter cam, the roller 47 on the associated trip arm passes inside of the cam flange 58, and when it engages the inclined portion of the flange, the trip arm is moved inwardly to shift and release the latch 42. The roller on the lifter then engages the downwardly inclined cam portion 54, and

the core section is raised to open the mold,

as shown at the left-hand portion of Fig. 2 and in Fig. 5. The mold remains open until the roller on its lifter arm reaches the upwardly inclined cam portion 55 and, as itpasses beneath the same, the core section is brought to a closed position by gravity. The roller on the upper end of the trip arm then passes between the inclined portion of the cam flanges'59 and the latch 42 is moved into engagement with its associate lug 41 to center and lock the mold sections in closed position. lVhile each mold is open, the finished cup is removed therefrom, and a fresh charge of batter placed in the mold. lVhile each mold is closed, it is moved by the carrier wheel or turn-table through an annular or segmental oven to bake the charge of material therein.

In the form shown, the oven comprises a horizontal sheet metal bottom plate 60 of circular outline having an upturned rim 61 and a segmental section which is removably mounted on the bottom plate and comprises an outer peripherial wall 62 that extends upwardly to a point considerably above the path of movement of the mold sections and an inwardly extending horizontal portion 63 having a flange v64 at its inner edge which extends downwardly to a point immediately above the path of move- 'jecting arm that is connected by a link 7 of the path of movement'of. the cup sections 28 of the mold and are provided with orifices for directing the flames against the opposite sides of the cup sections. A third burner pipe 66 is arranged centrally above the path of movement of the molds and is provided with downwardly directing orifices for directing flames onto and into the hollow core sections of the molds. By this arrangement the molds are heated and the contained charges baked with great uniformity. In the construction shown, the upper burner pipes are carried at their ends on straps 67 which are fixed to and project from the cams 56 and 57. The lower burner pipes are mounted in the upper forked ends of supporting rods 68 carried. on bars 69 that project outwardly from the bed plate 10. Preferably, the supports 68 are adjustably connected to the bars 69 to move the bin'ner pipes to and from the molds- Adjacent the straps 67 the flange 64 of the oven is cut away, indicated at 70 in Fig. 2, so that the upper portion of the oven can be removed, when desired, to afford access to the mold sections.

The molds are unlocked and opened, as

described, as they emerge from the segmental ovemand as soon as it is opened it passes over the T-shaped head 71 of a vertically n'ioving ejector actuating rod 72. The latter is guided in a bracket 73 fixed to the adjacent corner of the bed plate 10, and its lower end engages one arm of a bell crank 74. The latter is pivoted on a block 75 carried by a rod 7 6, and has an upwardly pro; 1 to a sliding member 7 8. The latter is provided with sleeve-like portions which slidably engage the rod 7 6 and a reciprocating shifter rod 79. The rod 76 is fixed on its ends to the side upright; 11, while the rod 79 is slidably mounted in suitable bearing openings in the uprights. The fixed and movable rods are provided with collars 80 and 81, and these collars together with the block 75 are adjustably held in position by set screws 82. The adjustment of the blocks 75 and 80 on the fixed rod 7 6 determines the normal position of the ejector actuating head 71, and the adjustment of the block 81 determines the throw of the ejector actuator. hen the rod 79 is shifted in right-hand direction from the position shown in Fig. 5, the collar 81 thereon engages the part 78 and through the connections described raises the head 71 and the latter lifts the ejecting plunger 37 of the open mold which, at this time, is above the head 71. This serves to raise the finished cup to a position above the upper face of the bracket 25 and the continued forward movement of the carrier brings the finished cup against a stationary arm 83 which sweeps it from position and into a suitable chute or receptacle placed to the arm.

to receive it. 1 Upon the return "movementv of the rod 79 in left-hand direction, the head 71 and the parts connected thereto are returned by gravity to the position shown in F 5 with the member 78 in engagement with the adjustable stop collar 80. The de fleeting arm 83 is adjustably secured by a set screwS l to the upper end rod 85 which in turn carried by a bar 86 projecting ontwardly from the adjacent corner of the bed plate 10. The rod 79 is connected by a link 87 with the end of a crank arm 88. The hub 89 of the latter, as most plainly shown in Fig. 2, is fixed to the lower end of a vertical shaft 90 which is rotatably mounted in a fixed sleeve 91. The latter is carried on an extension 92 that projects laterally from one side of the bed plate 10 and which also carries the bracket 20 in which the shaft 19'is journaled. The crank arm 88 is also connected by a link 93 to a crank pin on the lower face of the worm 21. As the latter is rotated, the crank arm88 and shaft'90are oscillated, and the ejector actuating rod 79 reciprocated. The gearing is suchthat the worm wheel 21 makes one complete revolution, while the carrier orturn-table adcarries a post 95 which in turn supports a tank 96 for containing the supplyof batter, and a feeding pump is provided for charging each of the open molds with a measured quantity or charge of batter. This feeding device-is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4t, and is mounted upon an rm97 on the upper end of the oscillating shaft 90. A pump cylinder 98 is carried on the inner arm 97 preferably by means of a clamp comprising a lower member 99 fixed to the arm and an upper member 100 hinged at one end to the lower clamp member and is at its opposite end connected thereto by a screw 101, having a thumb nut 102. The screw 101 is pivoted to the lower clamp member and the nut 102 thereon is arranged to engage two lugs 103 on the upper clamp member. These members, as shown, fit between ribs 104 on the pump "cylinder "and detachably secure it in position. The pump-p1ston plunger 1.05 fits within the cylinder and its isheld in position therein by gib-s 109 bolted A pin 110 on the inner end of the slides extends downwardly through a slot in the arm and has a roller on its lower end which extends between a pair of cam flanges 111 011 a stationary arm 112. The

latter is fixed to the upper end ofthe stationary sleeve 91 and asthe shaft 90 and arm 97 are oscillated, the fixed cam flanges the valve.

111 serve :to reciprocate the slide and the lug 107 thereon, and the latter'by engaging lugs on the pin 106 reciprocates the pump piston 105. Preferably, the pin 106 is provided with a fixed lug 11.3 and an adjustable lug 11 1 threaded thereon, these lugs being arranged on opposite sides of the lug or projection. 107 on the slide and are respectively engaged thereby to effect the suction and the discharge movements of the pump plunger. By adjusting the lug 1141- the throw of the pump plunger and the amount of batter discharged at eachstroke can be accurately controlled, In this way each mold cavity is charged with the exact amount of batter which will fill the mold when baked, excess batter will. not he forced from the molds, and thefiuished cups need not be trimmed. The pump cylinder is provided at its inner end with suction and discharge ports 1.15 and 115 whichare controlled by a sleeve valve 116 which fits eXteriorly upon the in- .ner end of the cylinder and reciprocates thereon to alternately bring the valve ports 11'? and 117 in lin -with the cylinder ports 115 and 115. v The sleeve valve is provided with a chamber 118 with which the suction port 17 comn'iunicates, and this chamber is connected, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by a flexible pipe 119 to the supply tank 96.

The valve reciprocates on the pump cylinder but is held against oscillation thereon by a lug 120 on the side of the valve (see Fig. 3) and through which a finger 121 extends. This finger is fixed to the adjacent flange 104 on the pump cylinder. The, outer end of the lug 120 is connected by a link 122 to an arm 123 on the upper end-of a short shaft 12 1-. This shaft is journaled in a suitabl bearing on the oscillating arm 97 and its lower end is provided with an arm 125 that co-operates with two pins 126 to shift Pins 126 are fixed in position on the stationary arm 112 and at the ends of the oscillating movements of the arm 97 engage the arm 125 and shift. the valve alternately in opposite directions to open and close the suction and discharge ports of the pump.

The discharge strokes of the feeding,

pump are effected during the forward movement of the arm 9'? and the suction strokes on its return movement. During. the forward movement the discharge port of the pump registers with one of the open molds which is moving forwardly with the continuously rotating mold carrier. With the mechanisms described, each mold is supplied with an amount of batter which can be regulated in accordance with condition to exactly fill the mold cavity after the mold has been subjected to the heat. of the baking oven. As soon as the mold is filled it is closed and its section lockedin closed position, as described. Th'e mold-then moves through the oven and is there uniformly heated to bake the contained charge. When the mold passes from the even it is unlocked, opened, and the finished cup discharged therefrom, as set forth. The mold carrier operates continuously and the moving parts are not dependent in any way for proper operation upon strings. Connecting pipes 127 (see Figs. 1. and 2) extend between the segmental burner pipes and a' main supply pipe 128, each of the connecting pipes being provided with a controlled valve 129.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the details set forth without departure from the essentials of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an auton' atic baking machine, the combination with an annular oven and a rotary carrier, of a series of mold units on said carrier, each unit comprising a radially mounted bracket, a lifter pivoted at its inner end to said bracket, cup and core mold sec tions rigidly mounted on theouter ends of said bracket and lifter; respectively, a latch pivoted on. the outer end of saidlifter and arranged to engage said bracket to hold the mold closed, a rock arm pivoted at the inner end of said bracket andconnectcd to said latch, means for rotating said carrier, a post whereon the latter is mounted, and stationary camsv mounted on said post for operating the rock arm and lifter of each mold unit. successively and in reverse order to open and close the molds.

2. In an automatic baking machine, the combination set forth in claim 1, and means for automatically removing the baked cups fromthe molds and charging the same with batter while'the molds are open.

3. In an automatic baking machine, the combination set forth inclaim 1, each of said mold units having an ejecting plunger forming the. bottom of the mold cavity, a charging pump, and mechanism for auto- -matically operating the ejecting plunger of each mold unit and said pump to remove the baked cups and charge the molds with batter while the latter are open.

1. In an automatic baking machine, the combinationwith an annular oven and a rotary mold carrier, of a series of cup molds mounted on the periphery of said carrier, a series of radial lifters pivoted at their inner ends of said carrier, mold cores and latches on the outer ends of said lifters, rock arms connected to said latches, means for concombination set forth in claim a, said means for removing the baked cupscomprismg an ejecting plunger for each mold unit forming the bottom of the mold cavity, a reciprocating actuator for shifting said plungers to lift the cups from the molds, and a stationary deflector for engaging the lifted cups.

. 6. In an automatic baking machine, the combination set forth in claim 4, said means for charging the molds with batter comprising an oscillating arm, a feed pump thereon having an outlet adapted toregister with the open molds during the forward movements of said arms, means for oscillating said arm,'and means for effecting the dis-.

charging and suction strokes of said pump upon the forward and return movements of said arm respectively.

7 In an automatic baking machine, the combination with an oven, of a rotary carrier having a vertical axis, a series of vertically disposed cup molds'on said carrier comprising relatively fixed and movable cup and core sections, means for continuously rotating the carrier, means acting during the rotation of the carrier to successively raise the core sections, remove the baked cups, charge the cup sections and lower the core sections, said cup-removing means comprising vertically movable ejecting plungers, one mounted in each cup section, a common, verticallymovable, reciprocating actuator for said plungers, mechanism for reciprocating said actuator to thereby successively lift the plungers, and raise the baked cups from the molds, and a stationary 'deflector in the path of movement of the lifted cnps,substantially as described.

8. In an automatic baking machine, the combination with an oven, of a rotary carrier having a vertical axis, a series of vertical cup molds on said carrier comprising relatively fixed and movable cup and core sections, means for continuously rotating said carrier, means acting during the rotation of the carrier to successively raise the core sections, remove the baked cups, charge the cup sections and lower the core sections, said charging means comprising a vertical rock shaft, a feed pump thereon having inlet and outlet ports, a valve for alternately opening and closing said ports, said outlet port being arranged to register with the open molds during the forward movement of said rock shaft, means for oscillating said rock shaft, a stationary cam mounted on the rock shaft bearing, a pump actuator reciprocated by said cam during the forward and return movements of said shaft, an adjustable connection between said actuator and the movable member of the pump, and stationary lugs on said cam for shifting said valve at the opposite ends of the movements of said rock shaft, substantially as described.

9. In an automatic baking machine, the

combination of an oven, an endless series of molds, means for continuously moving the same in an endless path extending through said oven, each of said molds comprising a relatively fixed cup section, a vertically movable core section and an ejecting plunger extending through the bottom of said cup section, said core section and ejector having flanges forming the top and bottom respectively of the mold cavity, two actuating members for successively lifting the core section and ejecting plunger of each mold to open the same and lift the baked cup above the top of the cup section thereof and a deflecting arm for engaging and removing the lifted cups.

10. In an automatic baking machine, the combination of an oven, a series of molds, means for continuously moving the same in an endless path extending through said oven, means for opening the molds, removing the baked articles and closing the molds, and

means for charging the open molds comprising an oscillating arm, a feed pump thereon having inlet and outlet ports, valve means for alternately opening and closing said ports, said outlet port being arranged to register with the open molds during the forward movements of said arm, means for oscillating said arm, a stationary cam, a pump actuatorrcciprocated by said cam, an adjustable lost motion connection between said actuator and the movable member of said pump and stationary lugs for shifting said valve means; T i

V 11. In an automatic baking machine, the combination set forth in claim 10, said valve means comprising a sleeve mounted on the pump cylinder and having a chamber therein, a supply tank and a flexible pipe connection between said tank and said chamber.

12. In an automatic baking machine, the combination of an oven, a horizontal, rotary mold carrier, a vertical post whereon said carrier is mounted, an annular series of cup molds mounted on the periphery of said carrier, a series of radial lifters pivoted at their inner ends on said carrier, mold cores and latches on the outer ends of said lifters, rock arms connected to said latches, said cup molds having lugs arranged to be engaged by said latches, means for continuously rotating said mold carrier, stationary cams mounted upon said post for operating said rock arms and lifters successively and in reverseorder to open and close the molds, and means for automatically removing the baked cups and for charging the molds with batter while the molds are open.

13. In an automatic baking machine, the combination with an oven, of a horizontal rotary mold carrier having a vertical axis, a series of cup mold sections mounted on said carrier, a series of radial lifters pivoted at externally their inner ends'on-said carrier, mold cores and-latches on the-outer ends'of said l fters, said 'GUDSGGtlOIlSfiIId cores having abut-ting flanges at their upper ends provided with interfit'tingconical shoulders and recesses, said latches being arranged to engage said cup sections andcooperate with said flanges to center the cup sections and cores and tightly close the mold cavities, means for continuously rotating said mold carrier, sta tionary cams for operating said latches and saidlifters successively and in reverse order tovopen and close the molds. and means for automatically removing the baked cups and charging the molds With batter when the molds are open, substantially as described.

14. In an automatic baking machine, the combination of an oven, a series of cup molds and a carrier for moving the'molds through said oven, each of said molds comprising a relatively fixed cup section, a relatively movable-core section having a flange adapted to abut against the upper end of said cup section, and a longitudinally movable ejecting plunger extending through the bottom of said cup section and having a head fitting Within the lower portion of said cup section and forming the bottom of the mold cavity, said core and cup sections having tapering Walls forming the sides of the mold cavity with longitudinal flutes upon its outer Wall, and said flange and cup sections being recessed to form a head at the upperedge of the baked cup. 15. In an automatic baking machine, the combination with an oven, of a rotary carrier having a vertical axis, a series of vertically disposed cup molds mounted thereon, means for continuously "rotating the car rier, -means' acting during the rotation of the carrier to successively open the molds, remove the baked cups, charge and closethe molds, said cup-removing means comprising' vertically movable, ejecting .plungers, one mounted in each mold, a common,vertically movable, reciprocating actuator for successively lifting said plunger-s to raise the baked cups from the molds and mechanism for operating said actuator having means for adjusting the throw thereof, substantially as described.

16. In an automatic baking machine, the combination with an oven, of a series of cup molds and a carrier for moving the same through said oven, each of said molds comprising a relatively fixed cup section, a relatively movable core section having a flange adapted to abut against the upper end of said cup section to close the mold cavity and a longitudinally movable, eject- -ing plunger extending through the bottom 0t said cup section and having a head fitting Within the lower portion thereof and forming the bottom of the mold cavity, means for successively lifting said core sections and plunger-s to open the mold cavities and discharge the baked cups, said cup and core sections having tapering Walls forming the sides of the mold cavity With longitudinal flutes upon its outer wall, and said mold sections and said plunger head being recessed to torm'thickened beads at the upper and lower edges of the baked cups, substantially as described.

SAMUEL E. WINDER. 

